Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure is open

[Tom Morrow]

I can forgive them for getting behind schedule and choosing to stick to a predetermined grand opening rather than doing a month and a half of soft opening that it needed. However I do believe that making guests take a very big gamble if they want to ride was very poor service. A defined goal for opening and closing time should have been set weeks ago and it still isn’t.

 

[raven]

@Rich Brownn
I never said this ride wouldn’t survive. And I never said this ride is the only one to have problems. Indeed, to the contrary, I acknowledged that there are plenty of other rides that have had very tough openings. What I did say, however, is that this ride’s opening has been abysmal. The fact that you can’t even admit that, when it is so clearly the case, demonstrates that you are less than objective on this matter, which of course is your absolute right.

So let’s just agree to disagree. I will continue thinking that a ride that opened with constant mid-ride breakdowns, constant multi-hour delays, constant unknown start times, and constant unknown end times is a ride that had an abysmal opening. And you can continue to think that such an opening is perfectly fine.

And yet guests are still willing to stand in that line for up to 3 hours, a short period for such a fantastic coaster that’s only been open for about 6 weeks. There are complaints (as most people always do) but the ride has had an overwhelming positive response. Most have said it was worth the long wait.

 

[JusticeDisney]

And yet guests are still willing to stand in that line for up to 3 hours, a short period for such a fantastic coaster that’s only been open for about 6 weeks. There are complaints (as most people always do) but the ride has had an overwhelming positive response. Most have said it was worth the long wait.

I don’t disagree with any of that. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that it has still been a really bad opening by Uni.

 

[raven]

I don’t disagree with any of that. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that it has still been a really bad opening by Uni.

Doesn’t seem to matter to many guests.

 

[JusticeDisney]

Doesn’t seem to matter to many guests.

Oh, it totally does. Not even counting all the complaining that can be found on the internet, the day I was there, there was nothing but complaining coming from damn near everyone in the area.

Again, however, even if there wasn’t a single complaint in the world, that would still be totally irrelevant to the fact that Uni totally screwed the pooch on this opening.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The ride has been extremely well received for those who have actually gotten to ride. This is kind of cancelling out the number of upset guests who tried to ride and weren't able to. Look on any social media post about the ride and you'll see a mix of both sides in the comments. The number of guests that are upset with how Universal has handled this opening is not insignificant.

 

[cheezbat]

While the opening hasn’t been the smoothest, I’m calling it a win. Defintely the best ride to open so far this year...

Hagrid rides: 2 out of 2 tries.
Slinky Dog Dash rides: 2 out of 4 tries.

I’ve now ridden Hagrid as many times as Slinky.

Sometimes rides break down. Especially when they’re new. That’s life.

 

[JusticeDisney]

While the opening hasn’t been the smoothest, I’m calling it a win. Defintely the best ride to open so far this year...

Hagrid rides: 2 out of 2 tries.
Slinky Dog Dash rides: 2 out of 4 tries.

I’ve now ridden Hagrid as many times as Slinky.

Sometimes rides break down. Especially when they’re new. That’s life.

The ride is great. The opening has been atrociously handled. Full stop.

 

[Horizons '83]

Why did this thing open when it did? Was this a corporate mandate? Another 2 months of testing could have been fantastic for this one.

 

[JoeCamel]

Why did this thing open when it did? Was this a corporate mandate? Another 2 months of testing could have been fantastic for this one.

They had a tie to a date in canon and it looked like it was attainable up until a couple of weeks before the date so they set it up and advertised it, booked media and celebs then things went south operationally.
I don't think marketing will have as much pull when it comes to decision making as they did with this in the future.
I rode the last 2 days after rain delay and plan on the same today. Waited less than an hour both times. I have to blame the fanbois for some of this. They really have to be first to ride? I've done that in the past but decided to wait for the right time for this one. Nothing but praise from me. I can't wait til I can ride it over and over again each day, it is stupid fun!

 

[flynnibus]

Think about it... how many main line media places are running articles about the struggles getting on the attraction weeks after opening? Zero

How many main line media places would run stories if Universal still hadn't opened their summer blockbuster attraction? Many

 

[zachrupertdsn]

Finally rode it last week!

It was good, teetering into great!

Hopefully some of the trees and shrubbery grow in and cover up some of the non-ride stuff.

Really hope the lines get better.

Really really hope it can be open a full day soon too!

 

[Horizons '83]

Think about it... how many main line media places are running articles about the struggles getting on the attraction weeks after opening? Zero

How many main line media places would run stories if Universal still hadn't opened their summer blockbuster attraction? Many

I'll disagree, main line media don't really cover single ride openings (Star Wars Land is a different beast but I am referring to a single ride)

 

[flynnibus]

I'll disagree, main line media don't really cover single ride openings (Star Wars Land is a different beast but I am referring to a single ride)

They covered the wait times for Hagrids...

 

[raven]

Finally rode it last week!

It was good, teetering into great!

Hopefully some of the trees and shrubbery grow in and cover up some of the non-ride stuff.

Really hope the lines get better.

Really really hope it can be open a full day soon too!

More importantly, did those less-than-perfect things ruin the ride for you and make you want to complain about them for weeks and weeks on end? That seems to be the theme going on here.

 

[JusticeDisney]

More importantly, did those less-than-perfect things ruin the ride for you and make you want to complain about them for weeks and weeks on end? That seems to be the theme going on here.

Excellent point. Constant breakdowns. Constant delays. Never knowing when the ride is opening or closing. Can’t believe anyone would dare be bothered by such trivial things. Bunch of whiny little babies if you ask me.

 

[JusticeDisney]

Another two months of testing may have done nothing. Until you have the ride ramped up to full speed you don't know exactly what will happen.

Isn’t that how they test it though? When I was there and it broke down, they tested it for a long time and it seemed like they had everything zooming around at once. I could be wrong however.

 

[zachrupertdsn]

More importantly, did those less-than-perfect things ruin the ride for you and make you want to complain about them for weeks and weeks on end? That seems to be the theme going on here.

No, I enjoyed it for what it is. It’s more themed than the ride it replaced which I enjoy. It’s not my favorite ride at universal, probably my second favorite Harry Potter themed ride at the park.

I also understand I was there like a month after it opened, but the fact I couldn’t ride the ride in the dark, which everyone has said is the way to do it still sucks.

And I hate that the show building for the drop track is painted blue with trees on one side and tan on the other. Why not just make it look like more ruins? It’s just so awkward.

Again, loved the ride, but some criticism is okay.

 

[raven]

You can insult my intelligence all you want, it won't help you squirm your way out of this one. If you want to talk about track records, I'm very familiar with your posting history, and I know full well you're a troll. Not that you're doing anything to disprove it here. Just more of your usual shenanigans. And FYI, I've made it perfectly clear that I prefer Universal, and I've never hidden that fact. I don't need to try to hide my biases, because unlike you, I don't post with an agenda, thinking I'm being sneaky when I couldn't be any less so.

Also, I've been an AP holder for the past 20 years, so good luck with that whole trying to outpace my visits thing.

So people post in the Universal part of the forum to try change people’s minds about their parks. They know it’s a big competition for Disney so they come in to stir up trouble and make Universal look bad. It’s just the game they choose to play.

 

[JusticeDisney]

So people post in the Universal part of the forum to try change people’s minds about their parks. They know it’s a big competition for Disney so they come in to stir up trouble and make Universal look bad. It’s just the game they choose to play.

Wow, some people sure are insecure. Point out that a Uni ride has had an embarrassing opening and watch the fanboys have a break down. Too funny, and so sad at the same time.

And by the way, I didn’t bring up Disney once in this thread, but plenty of Uni fanboys have. But since you brought it up, let me know when a Uni park beats even one of the WDW parks in attendance, and then maybe WDW will worry about this so called “competition.”